In the high-pressure cauldron of Glasgow football, the seat beneath Danny Rohl has begun to simmer. Following a bruising run of form that includes back-to-back defeats to Motherwell and Rangers (a result that has effectively extinguished their Scottish Premiership title hopes), the German tactician finds himself at a crossroads.
However, former Hearts manager Robbie Neilson believes the Ibrox board must resist the urge to pull the trigger. Speaking from his current role as assistant manager at SK Lommel, Neilson argues that Rohl has earned the right to lead a full rebuild this summer.
Cleaning Up the Chaos
To understand Rohl’s current standing, one must look at the wreckage he inherited. Taking over after Russell Martin’s disastrous start to the campaign, Rohl was tasked with stabilizing a squad that lacked both defensive identity and tactical discipline.
Neilson points to several key improvements under the 37-year-old:
- Defensive Solidity: Rangers have become significantly more organized and harder to break down in open play compared to the early-season chaos.
- Mid-Season Turnaround: Rohl successfully dragged the team back into the European conversation, a feat that seemed impossible back in November.
”I think Danny Rohl will be there at the start of next season,” Neilson stated. “I think they’ll give him the opportunity to build. You can see some of the things he’s done very well.”
The “Young Manager” Learning Curve
While the results have dipped recently—leaving Rangers in a precarious battle with Celtic for second place—Neilson suggests these are the growing pains of a young coach in his first “big” job.
The primary criticism leveled at Rohl in recent months has been his in-game tactical adjustments. Opposing managers have occasionally found ways to bypass his system mid-match, and the response from the Rangers dugout has sometimes been slow.
”Rangers is a big, big job,” Neilson acknowledged. “But with time, support, and recruitment over the summer, I would be very surprised if he’s not there come the start of the season.”
The Replacement Reality Check
Perhaps the strongest argument for Rohl’s retention is the lack of a clear, superior alternative. In the absence of a permanent sporting director to lead a global search, Neilson questions whether the club could actually find a better candidate than the incumbent German.
”Are they going to get better than Danny Rohl at this point in time? I don’t think so,” Neilson remarked bluntly.
The Final Countdown
The coming weeks will be decisive. While Neilson and a portion of the fanbase advocate for continuity, the boardroom’s patience may hinge on the final league table. If Rohl can leapfrog Celtic to secure second place and a potential Champions League windfall, his position will be bulletproof. If they slip to third, the pressure for a “sporting director-led reshuffle” may become too loud to ignore.
For now, the message from those within the game is clear: Give Danny Rohl the summer transfer window he deserves before judging his tenure.
Ibrox Watch: In other news, Rangers have been advised to prepare for a £20m windfall for one of their top stars as the 2026 World Cup approaches, while a “forgotten” squad member has officially returned to Glasgow following a difficult loan spell in the EFL.
